Detachable hinge construction



April 21, 1959 K. w. cousE ErAL v 2,882,564

.DETACHABLE HINGE CONSTRUCTION Filed oct. 1e. 1956 2 Sheets-Shea?l 1 April 21, 1959 K. w. cousE ErAL 2,382,564

DETACHABLE HINGE CONSTRUCTION med oct. 1e.v 195e sheets-sheet 2 United States Patenti e DETACHABLE HINGE CONSTRUCTIO Kibbey W. Couse and Robert M. Sutphen, Newark, NJ., assignors to Couse Manufacturing, Inc., Newark, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey f y Application October 16, 1956, Serial No. 616,299

3 Claims. (Cl. 20-92) This invention relates to a hinge construction and more particularly to a detachable type hinge which is easily attached to, and removed from, structural units.

The structural units with which our novel hinge is adapted to function are described in our co-pending patent application for a Structural Panel Member, Serial No. 616,298, tiled October 16, 1956. Structural units, or panel members, which are joined by our novel hinge con-` struction may be used as doors, or roof, wall or floor extension members, in building structures employing such units.

An object of this invention is the provision of an economically produced, yet sturdily constructed hinge member.

An object of this invention is the provision of a hinge construction for hingedly joining structural panel units which hinge may be attached either'to the edge or to the sides of the said panel units.

An object of this invention is the provision of a hinge construction comprising first and second substantially identically shaped elongated hinge elements provided with cylindrical-shaped edge portions which are adapted to be hingedly connected by means of a hinge pin extending therethrough, the said hinge elements being provided with a substantially right angle bend, and enlarged elongated edge portions which are adapted to engage grooves having enlarged bottom portions in the edge and/ or face of a panel member.

An object of this invention is the provision of a hinge member for hingedly fastening three closely spaced panels, each of said panels having elongated grooves along the panel edge and both faces thereof parallel to the edge, a hinge construction comprising an elongated strip having cylindrical-shaped edge portions, a rib perpendicularly positioned and extending longitudinally along the center of the said strip, the said rib terminating in an enlarged edge portion which is adapted to be inserted in the said edge groove on the rst panel, 'a pair of hinge elements having cylindrical-shaped side edge portions along one side edge and an enlarged portion along the other side edge, and hinge pins extending through the cylindricalshaped edge portions on the said elongated strip and on the said hinge elements, the said enlarged side portions on the hinge members being adapted to be inserted in the said edge grooves in the second and third panels.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and are not to be construed as defining the scope or limits of the invention, reference being had for the latter purposes to the appended claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of our novel hinge construction;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view ice of two hinged panel members held in an adjacent relation;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of two hinged panel members held in an abutting edge relation and showing a weather-proof hinge connection;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of two hinged panel members held at an angle of 90 degrees;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, however, showing the hinge and binder members reversed;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of three panels hinged by two hinge members;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional perspective View of three panels hinged by a single modified hinge member;

Figure 8 is a side sectional view of a building structure using our novel hinge members;

Figure 9 is a front sectional view of the building structure shown in FigureS;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a folded corner connection for the building structure;

Figure l1 is a fragmentary top view of the folded corner connection shown in Figure 10, with part of the' corner covering member broken away for clarity;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 9 only showing the building structure side unfolded so as to form roof extension members;

Figure l3 is a view similar to Figure 10 only showing the side member unfolded;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure l1 only showing the side members unfolded; and,

Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of a supporting post and canvas coverconnection to the roof extension member.

Reference is now made to Figure 1 wherein a fragmentary sectional perspective view of a hinge construction designated by reference numeral 20 is shown. v The novel hinge member 20 comprises identically shaped hinge elements 21 and 22 which are joined by a hinge pin 23. Both of the hinge elements 21 and 22 comprise a flat elongated strip 24 which terminates along one edge in a series of cylindrical shaped portions 25, 25', respectively; the cylindrical portions 25, 25` being coaxially arranged and maintained in a coaxial position by the hinge pin 23 in a manner well understood by those skilled in this art. The elongated strip portions 24 are provided with integral elongated web members 26 positioned at right angles to the flat strip portions; the free edge of the web members 26 terminating in enlarged portions 27 which are adapted to be inserted longitudinally in grooves in panel members which are to be pivotally joined.

Reference is now made to Figure 2 of the drawings wherein two panels 28 and 29 are joined by a hinge member l2l). The web portion and enlarged edge portion-y 26 and 27, respectively, are inserted in elongated grooves 31 in the edge of the panels 28 and 29. The grooves 31 are of the same cross-sectional shape as the right angularly disposed portion of the hinge elements 21 and 22. The inserted portion of the hinge elements substantially lill the grooves 31 thereby resulting in a rigid connection between the panel members 28 and 29 and the hinge member 20. j

It will be noted that the panel members 28 and 29 are provided with face grooves 33, 33 which are of identical shape to the edge grooves 31. In Figure 2, a binder memi ber 35, which comprises a web portion 36 and enlarged before the panel members 28 and 29 may be pivoted relative to each other.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 wherein two panels 40 and 41 are joined ,by a hinge member .20 in the same manner as the panel members 28 and 29; the hinge member 20 beingnpositioned in the vedge grooves 31 of the panel members 40 and 41. 'The resulting' hinge connection is'made weather-proof (from the right side) by a exible canvas member 42 which is provided with enlarged edges43 that are adapted to be inserted in the face grooves 33'. The ilexible canvas member extends over the hinge member 20 past the adjacent edges of the panels 40 and 41 and so protects the hinged connection from the elements, and at the same time allows the panel member to be pivoted freely. In Figure 3 a U-shaped binder member 44, which is provided with enlarged edge portions which arepositioned in the face grooves 33, maintains vthev hinged panels 40 and'41 in an abutting edgewise relation thereby providing a rigid connection between the panel members. The binder member 44 must, obviously, be removedbefore the panel members 4G and 41 may be pivoted relativeto each other.

Reference is now made to Figure '4 of the drawings wherein two` panels 50 and 51 are joined by a hinge member 20 in the` same manner as the panels 28 and 29 shown in` Figure 2, and the panels 40 and 41 shown in Figure 3; the' hinge member20 being positioned in the edge grooves 31 of theV panels 50 and 51. The panel 5l is anchored to a concrete floor 52 by means of abinder member 53 which is positioned in the'lower face 4groove 33 in the panel 5.1, and extends into the concrete iloor 52. A second binder member S4, which'is provided with enlarged'edge portions 56 bent at an angle of 45 degrees to the web portion'57, is inserted in the face grooves 33 of the panels 50 and 51 and maintains the panels in a rigid 90 degree angle. Obviously, the binder member 54 must be removed before the panels 50, 51 may be pivoted relative to each other.

TIn Figure of the drawings, a right angle panel con struction is shown which is similar to that shown in Figure 4and described above. Referring to Figure 5, the panels 50 and S1'are pivotally joined by hinge member 20 and maintained in a right angle position by the binder member 54. In Figure 5, however, the positions of the hinge and binder members and 54, respectively, are reversed from that shown in Figure 4. In Figure 5, the hinge elements are inserted in the face grooves 33 while the enlarged portions 56 of the binder member are inserted in the edge grooves 31. The interchangeability of the parts results 'fromthe fact that the identical shaped face grooves 33, 33

are spaced the same distance from the edge of the panels as 4the edge groove is from the panel faces. Obviously, the binder member 54 must be removed before the panels 50,`51"in Figure 5 may be pivoted.

'Reference is now made to VFigure 6 wherein three panels 60, 61 and 62 are pivotally connected by hinge members 631and 64. VThe panels may be used to 'form a triple thickness, hinged, wall construction. A V-shaped binder member 66 maintains the panel members 61 and 62 in a parallel relation as well as protecting the hinge member 64 from the weather. The binder member 66 is removed when the panels 61 and 62 are to be pivoted relative to each other.

'In' Figure 7 of the drawings a modified hinge construction 73 is shown 'for use in pivotally connecting three panels 70, 71 and 72. Referring to Figure 7, it is seen that the construction of the hinge member 73 allows the panels 71and 72 to be swung outwardly and upwardly from the bottom of the panel 70. The modified hinge comprises a ilat elongated strip 74 which terminates in cylindrical edge portions 76 along both edges thereof. The center of the/strip 74 is provided with an integral rib member 77 which terminates in an enlarged edge portion 78 whichis adapted to be inserted in the edge groove 31 in the panel 70. A pair of hinge elements 79,

4 which terminate in cylindrical portions along one edge, are adapted to be joined by hinge pins 81 to the cylindrical edge portions 76 in a well known manner. The other edge of the hinge elements 79 terminate in the usual enlarged portions 82 which are adapted to be inserted in the edge grooves 31 of the panels 71 and 72. As seen in Figure 7, the panel 71 may be pivoted upwardly to the left and the panel A72 pivoted upwardly to the right. Rubber abutment members 83 are positioned in the inside face grooves 33' and prevent thepanels 71 and 72 from being damagedwhen swung together.

Reference is now made to Figure 8 ofthe drawings wherein a side sectional view of a building structure comprising a plurality of triangular-shaped panels is shown. The floor, roof, end and side walls ofthe structure are made up of suitably connected triangular shaped panels 85, 36, 87 and 88, respectively. Each panel is provided with the usual edge and face grooves which were described above and shown in Figures 2-7. (The grooves are not shown in the semi-diagrammatic yviews of Figure 8). The grooves provide means whereby, suitable shaped binder members may be inserted therethrough so as to connect the variouspanels. As will be seenin the following drawings, `the side walls of the building structure are hinged to theroof therebyA providing means whereby the sidewalls may be used toformroof extension members.

Reference is now made to vFigure 9 of the drawings wherein a front sectional view of the building structure is shown. The side panels 88 are joined to the roof panels 86 bymeans. of our novel hingemember 20. In Figure 10 of the drawings a fragmentary front sectional view of the hinge conne.';,tio11,isA shown. Referring to Figure 10, the hinge member` 20 is shown connected to the edge grooves of the roof panel 86 and side panel 88. In the folded condition shown, the corner is protected, as well as strengthened, by a Vcorner cover member 90 which is inserted in the outside face grooves of the roof and side members 86 and 88, respectively. A top view of the folded panel connection is shown in Figure ll. Referring to Figure l1, the corner cover member 90 is broken away for clarity and a portion of the hinge member 20 and panel 88 is visible where the corner cover member is broken away.

Reference is now made to Figure 12 of the drawings wherein the side Wall panels 88 are shown swung open into a horizontal position wherein they form prolonga tions of the roof panels 86. They may be supported inthis position by use of adjustable posts 92 positioned near the end of the panels 88. A fragmentary sectional View of the hinge connection, which is similar to the view shown in Figure 10, `is shown in Figure 13. In Figure 13, however, the side panels 88 are shown in the unfolded position. In order to unfold the side panels 88, the corner cover member 90 is first removed and the p anels v88 swung into the plane of the roof panelsl86. VThe jointrmaythen vbe reinforced by means of Ufshaped binder members 44 which are inserted into adjoining face grooves in theroof and side wall panels 86 and S8, respectively. In Figure 14, a top view of the unfolded panel connection is shown, with the upper U-shaped binder member 44 broken away for clarity.

As seen in Figure l2, canvas end and side closures 96 and-97, respectively, are hung from the extended side panels 88. A zippered opening 98 in the end clos ures 96 provides an entrance means to the building structure. Details of the canvas closure connection and post 92 connection to the side panels 88 are shown Iin Figure 15. Referring to Figure 15, the top of the posts 92 are provided with an enlargement 100 which tits in the lower `face groove of the panel S8. The canvas end and sideclosures 96 and 97, respectively, are provided with enlarged edge portions 101 which are adapted to be inserted longitudinally in the edge groove of the panel 88. In this manner a substantially weather-proof connection is made.

It will be understood that the entire building may be quickly and easily dismantled by removing the binder members from between the various panels and by sliding the hinge members 20 out of the face grooves in the roof and side wall panels 86 and 88, respectively. The ease with which our novel hinge member may be placed in operative position, and removed therefrom, is an important feature of our invention.

Having now described our invention in detail in accordance with the patent statutes, various modifications and changes will suggest themselves to those skilled in this art, and itis intended that such changes and modifications shall fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as recited in the lfollowing claims.

We claim:

l. In a hinged panel construction; a pair of panels of uniform thickness, the said panels having enlarged bottom elongated edge grooves in the center of one edge and face grooves in opposite faces adjacent the edge grooves a distance of one-half the panel thickness from the said grooved edges; a hinge construction comprising a pair of L-shaped hinge elements, a hinge pin pivotally connecting the said hinge elements along one edge, an elongated enlarged portion along the other edge of the said L-shaped hinge elements, the said elongated enlarged portions being interchangeably slidably mounted in the face grooves in one face of the said panels, the face grooves in the other face of the said panels, and the edge grooves therein and a binder member having an elongated web portion and enlarged edge portions, the said enlarged edge portions of the binder member being interchangeably slidably mounted in the grooves in the panels, the binder member being mounted in the face grooves when the hinge elements are in the edge grooves, and in the edge grooves when the hinge elements are in the face grooves, the binder member holding the hinged panels in a predetermined position.

2. In a hinged panel construction, a pair of panels each having an enlarged bottom elongated edge groove in one edge and a similarly shaped face groove in one face thereof a predetermined spaced distance from the grooved edge, a hinge construction comprising a pair of L-shaped hinge elements, a hinge pin pivotally connecting the said hinge elements along one edge, an elongated enlarged portion along the other edge of the said L-shaped hinge elements, the said elongated enlarged portions being positioned in the said edge grooves of the said panels, and a binder member having an elongated web portion and enlarged edge portions, the said binder member being slidably mounted in the said face grooves of the panels when the panels are folded in a predetermined position, the location of the hinge elements in the edge grooves being interchangeable with the location of the binder member in the face grooves in the predetermined position of the panels.

3. In a hinged panel combination, a pair of panels each having an enlarged bottom elongated edge groove and a similarly shaped face groove in one face thereof a predetermined spaced distance from the grooved edge, a hinge construction comprising a pair of L-shaped hinge elements, a hinge pin pivotally connecting the said hinge elements along one edge thereof, an elongated enlarged portion along the other edge of the said L-shaped hinge elements, the said elongated enlarged portions being positioned in the face grooves of the said panels, and a binder member having an elongated web portion and enlarged edge portions, the said binder member edge portions being positioned in the said edge grooves of the said panels thereby holding the said panels in a predetermined position, the location of the hinge elements in the face grooves being interchangeable with the location of the binder member in the edge grooves in the predetermined position of the panels.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 731,138 Stearns June 16, 1903 1,900,460 Nuberg Mar. 7, 1933 2,485,463 Smith Oct. 18, 1949 2,589,370 Grennan Mar. 18, 1952 2,694,234 Roby Nov. 16, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 588,799 Great Britain June 3, 1947 

